Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday urged the state's youth to prepare for employment opportunities abroad, citing the country's struggling economy as a major factor behind the high unemployment rate. While inaugurating Zofa Agency, a Union Ministry of External Affairs-approved private placement agency in Aizawl, Lalduhoma emphasised the importance of skill development. He encouraged job seekers to consider even low-paying jobs abroad.
Government initiatives
"The unemployment rate in the country is high because of the country's poor economy," Lalduhoma stated. He highlighted that the Mizoram government is actively exploring opportunities to send local youth to work in Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and southern India.
Regulatory measures
To address unemployment and facilitate job placements outside the state, the Mizoram Private Placement Agencies (Regulation) Act was enacted in 2015. According to Lalduhoma, 27 private placement agencies were licensed under this Act to send unemployed youth for jobs outside Mizoram. However, these licenses were revoked this year due to violations involving sending youths to foreign countries beyond the Act's provisions.
Recent developments
Lalduhoma revealed that 29 individuals were arrested for illegally sending unemployed youth abroad. Police have recently rescued over 30 Mizo youths from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Efforts are also underway to rescue three Mizo women stranded in Syria.
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